PHOTO | Robbie Lawler links up with WWE star John Cena

Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is known for his frenzied and ferocious fighting style. The former champ is also known for an extremely stoic personality outside the cage. He’s quiet. He never talks trash. He rarely smiles.

Apparently, however, Lawler is in fact capable of smiling. All it takes to get an ear-to-ear grin out of the welterweight destroyer is an encounter with WWE star John Cena. On Wednesday morning Bellator light heavyweight star Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal shared a photo of Lawler and Cena together, and sure enough, Lawler’s face is painted with a big smile. Who knew such a thing was possible? See King Mo’s photo of Lawler and Cena together – which generated some excitement from MMA reporter Ariel Helwani – below.

Look at the smile!!! pic.twitter.com/8kpdYIjKc0

— King Muhammed (@KingMoFH) April 5, 2017

Lawler has not been seen in the cage since June of 2016, when he surrendered the welterweight title to former training partner Tyron Woodley, succumbing to a first-round knockout. After this knockout loss, Lawler stayed pretty quiet for awhile, though we know he has left American Top Team in favor of Lantana, Florida’s Combat Club.

Luckily, Lawler’s legions of fans finally have something to look forward to again. The former champ is scheduled for a scrap with fellow fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. This fight – which was briefly scheduled for UFC 205 in November – will go down at UFC 213 on July 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Prior to his loss to Woodley, Lawler defended the welterweight title in riveting battles with Carlos Condit and Rory MacDonald.

For Cowboy, meanwhile, this fight will be an opportunity to bounce back from a recent knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal. Prior to this loss, he went 4-0 in his first four fights at welterweight, stopping Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote, Rick Story and Matt Brown.

Are you surprised to see Robbie Lawler smiling? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/5/2017.